Customised Sinclair Clan Tours

This CUSTOMISED SINCLAIR CLAN TOUR is scoped on our most popular Clan in the far north, ‘Clan Sinclair’. This follows the life anbd tgimes of the various Clan Sinclair Chieftains and various descendant families. Likewise, we are happy to work with you if you have Sinclair / ST Clair ancestry to determine links and locations (or ours as a service). We then plan and build a tour around their lands and place in history. Just imagine, walking in the footsteps of your clan or ancestors.

Background:

The chiefs of Clan Sinclair (formerly St Clair) were the Barons of Roslin and later the Earls of Orkney and Earls of Caithness. They came from Normandy to England during the Norman conquest of England, before arriving in Scotland in the 11th century.

Our remote and rugged county of Caithness bears the scars and ruins from its’ torrid past, but still has some beautiful castles standing guard over the notorious Pentland Firth – many survived to tell their tales! Discover modern Caithness, then step back in time to listen to tales of the Vikings and of Clan Sinclair successes, struggles and dastardly deeds!

• Old Man of Wick Castle perhaps Scotland’s oldest castle built in 1100s by Harald Maddason the Viking on the cliffs not far from Wick Harbour – later owned by the Sinclairs as were the remainder of the castles we will also visit on this tour.
• Roam the ruins of Sinclair Girnigoe Castle which sit precariously above threatening cliffs on Sinclair’s Bay.
• Stop and look across to Old Keiss Castle ruin sitting precariously on cliffs in the distance.
• New Keiss Castle in the Scottish Baronial style is the later replacement home nearby. Owed at one time by Sinclairs but lost in a senseless way.
• Timeout at John o’Groats with its’ mecca of cafes, tourist outlets and Highland Shop AND the ever popular ‘Journeys End’ signpost.
• Visit the old Canisbay Kirk which belonged to the Sinclairs of Mey.
• A private tour of the Castle and Gardens of Mey which will give you a great view of the castle and contents relating to the Queen Mother, and focus on Sinclair artefacts including the Sinclair portraits.
• Travel along parallel to the Pentland Firth. On a clear day you can see the Orkney Islands, The Old Man of Hoy and nearby Stroma Island .
• Photograph Gothic style Old Thurso Castle Gatehouse, part of Thurso Castle.
• Walk through nearby farmlands onto Harald’s Tower (Sinclair Mausoleum) where Harald Maddadson lays under a huge burial stone.
• Stop to view across to Thurso Castle – now a ruin after a fire many decades ago.
• Church ruins of St Peter and St John in Thurso. and central Thurso monuments and momentos to the Sinclairs,
• Additional clanlands , estates, castles, grand houses, ruins, churches and cemeteries as relevant to the family or clan. They can be built into the to scope for: Half Day: Full Day; or Multi Days Tours (as and when longer/shorter tours are requested).
• Return to base.

Historic Caithness is truly the most dramatic and photogenic part of the Northern Highlands of Scotland, and a living testament to the determination and efforts of  Clan Sinclair and their part in our Caithness (Kaitness)  history.

Today many families here and elsewhere carry the name Sinclair – the genealogies are difficult, but they continue diligently to research the highly complex Sinclair family name now aided with DNA testing.

Language

Tours are in English Language only. Happy to work with translators supllied by the client.

Contact Us

• Office:                      +44 1955611542
• Mobile:                    +44 7854638268  /  +44 7799688379
• Email Enquiries:       info@robbiemactours.co.uk
• Website:                   www.robbiemactours.co.uk

RobbieMac Tours & Ancestry Services © 2023